Sonoma County, CA
Located roughly 50 miles north of San Francisco and west of Napa, Sonoma County is a worthwhile stop for any band traveling through Northern California. While Sonoma County’s musical atmosphere is historically rooted in blues, folk and country, the area is also the birthplace of indie rock notables The Velvet Teen and rising indie bands like The New Trust, The Coma Lilies and The Val Papadins. Sonoma County’s hip-hop and underground punk/hardcore scenes have steadily grown in the past couple of years as well. With its wine country atmosphere, historic downtowns, and music institutions like the notable Prairie Sun recording studios in Cotati, the region offers touring bands a more laid-back alternative to the Bay Area. Locals welcome the opportunity to see live music without making the trip down to San Francisco, and Rohnert Park’s Sonoma State University is the largest college in the area, with over 80,000 students ready to pack the venues.
Guide to Gigging in Sonoma county
Book a Gig: Venues
THE PHOENIX THEATER
201 WASHINGTON STREET
PETALUMA, CA 94952
(707) 762-3565
www.petalumaphoenix.org
A community center by day and an all-ages venue on Friday and Saturday nights, The Phoenix Theater is open to all types of artists, especially punk and metal bands, and holds up to 1,200 people. To book, contact Tom Gaffey at tom@petalumaphoenix.org or (707) 763-0225 three months in advance.
LAST DAY SALOON
120 5TH STREET
SANTA ROSA, CA 95401
(707) 545-2343
www.lastdaysaloon.com
With a large dance floor and a fully-equipped stage and sound system, the Last Day Saloon hosts local bands during the week and more well-known bands on the weekend. Contact Dave Daher at (707) 545-5876 or daher1@pacbell.net well in advance to book.
THE TRADEWINDS
8210 OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY
COTATI, CA 94931
(707) 795-7878
www.tradewindsbar.com
A main hangout for hip locals, this 21+ bar has live music five to six nights a week from bands of all genres. To book, contact Tony Davis through the venue’s website.
MCNEAR’S MYSTIC THEATRE
23 PETALUMA BOULEVARD NORTH
PETALUMA, CA 94952
(707) 765-2121
www.mcnears.com
This renovated 1911 vaudeville theater has a capacity of 550 and books both local and national acts. Bands should contact Sheila Groves with Notable Talent at (800) 853-6683 or notablet@aol.com to book.
THE SHOP
21600 8TH STREET EAST
SONOMA, CA 95476
www.myspace.com/theshopltd
This all-ages art space on the outskirts of Sonoma has a house PA and hosts $5 shows once every two weeks. Contact William Dovan through MySpace at least one month in advance to book.
RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING CO.
725 4TH STREET
SANTA ROSA, CA, 95404
(707) 545-233
www.russianriverbrewing.com
This all-ages restaurant and bar hosts live music from all genres save metal and rap three nights a week. To book, contact Steve at bandbooking@russianriverbrewing.com and mail in a demo at least three months in advance to the address above.
THE LAST RECORD STORE
18899 MENDOCINO AVENUE
SANTA ROSA, CA 95401
(707) 525-1963
www.the-last-record-store.com
The Last Record Store sells CDs on commission, has a popular bulletin board for fliering, and hosts in-stores with local and touring bands. Call for booking information.
Promote a Gig: Media
NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN
216 E STREET
SANTA ROSA, CA 95404
(707) 527-1200
www.bohemian.com
This North Bay weekly features blurbs on venues and upcoming shows in Napa, Marin, and Sonoma counties and reviews local and touring artists. Send a CD and press kit to Contributing Music Editor Gabe Meline as far in advance as possible.
KSUN/ KRPC-LP
SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
1801 E. COTATI AVENUE
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
(707) 664-2621
www.sonoma.edu/ksun
This student-run internet radio station is dedicated to helping independent musicians get exposure and plays all genres. Mail music submissions to the address above, marked attn: Music Director, and check website for current staff email list.
KRSH, 95.9 FM
3565 STANDISH AVENUE
SANTA ROSA, CA 95407
(707) 588-0707
www.krsh.com
Sonoma County’s go-to station for blues and jazz musicians. Fax or email music calendar events to PSA coordinator Ivy Weiss two weeks in advance. For in-studios, contact Program Director Pam Long at pam@krsh.com and send music submissions to the address above.
Gear/ Repairs
ZONE MUSIC AND RECORDING
7884 OLD REDWOOD HWY
COTATI, CA 94931
(707) 664-1213
www.zonemusic.com
Rents gear and sells keyboards, drums and guitars. Repair-wise, they provide guitar restrings and setups, pickup installation, and wiring modifications.
BACKSTAGE TECHNICAL SERVICE
7880 OLD REDWOOD HWY
COTATI, CA 94931
(707) 795-8391
If Zone Music and Recording can’t fix it, go next door and ask Kent Fossgreen, local expert on amplifiers, mixers, and speakers, to take a look.
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